Cigars for Cinco de Mayo

• Posted on 1 May 2019
• By Sheila Habano
• Posted in Cigar Recommendations, Cinco De Mayo
• 0

To commemorate the holiday, we at El Cigar Shop hope that this Cinco de Mayo you will celebrate with one or more of our premium cigar suggestions.

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. To commemorate the holiday, I’ll be serving up Mexican fare, Margaritas, and fine premium cigars that use the coveted Mexican San Andrés wrapper leaf.

Often under-appreciated, Mexican cigars are a tremendous value for cigar smokers looking for a richer, more nuanced smoking experience. Some of the best wrapper leaves come from the region of San Andrés, which is prized for its rich, volcanic soils. The Mexican San Andrés-grown wrapper leaf has grown in popularity in the last several years, the most popular being Negro.  Many of the leaves used in constructing premium Mexican cigars are dark, and often strong, as is the case of a Te-Amo.

#1. Te-Amo Revolution Robusto Ovalado incorporates a touch of Nicaraguan tobacco into the Mexican blend that relies heavily on the leaves grown by the Turrents family on their farms in the San Andrés Valley; Habano for the wrapper, Corojo in the binder, and Negro, Corojo and that touch of Nicaraguan in the filler. Te-Amo Revolution is a beautiful oval shaped boutique style cigar with a rich smoke and a core of leather, coffee, earthy flavors and a spicy finish that is sure to appeal to the modern smoker. Te Amo Revolution placed at #13 cigar in 2014 by Cigar Aficionado Magazine.

#2. The Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat is wrapped in a gorgeous Mexican San Andrés wrapper and features the same Nicaraguan binder and long filler tobaccos as used in the original Chupacabra. The cigar is pigtailed with a shaggy foot. The Hellcat features a gorgeous box press and is covered in both wax paper and foot band in order to protect its lovely wrap. Chupacabra Hellcat immediately delivered notes of leather and dark roast coffee in the forefront, and background notes of semi-sweet chocolate. Absolutely delicious!

#3. The E.P. Carrillo Selección Oscuro Piramides Royal is a unique blend that begins with a dark San Andrés Oscuro wrapper blanketing an Ecuadorian binder and long-leaf filler from Nicaragua. The torpedo is a medium-full bodied cigar with notes of dried fruit and sweet chocolate raisins.  E.P. Carrillo Selección Oscuro Piramides Royal ranked #4 on Cigar Aficionado’s “Top 25 Cigars” in 2016.

#4. Handcrafted in Nicaragua, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor displays a beautiful Cuban-seed Maduro wrapper grown in San Andrés paired with aged Nicaraguan tobaccos. This cigar features notes of rich dark cocoa, espresso, almonds and a hint of snappy spice with a sweet finish.  The Mi Amor Belicoso was named Cigar Aficionado’s #2” Cigar of the Year” in 2011 and #13 in 2016.

#5. The San Lotano line is AJ Fernandez's first self-made brand.  The brand is named after Fernandez’s farm and factory in Nicaragua. The San Lotano Requiem Maduro Gran Toro delivers an artfully box-pressed blend of hand-selected long-fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua with a Nicaraguan binder. These are all firmly packed in a dark and oily San Andrés Maduro wrapper.  Medium to full-bodied, the Toro presents elegant notes of sweet chocolate, cocoa, toasted nuts, and white pepper.

#6. The highly rated Montecristo Platinum No. 3 Cubano Corona is made with the finest filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru. The Dominican binder is topped off with a supple San Andrés Cubano wrapper from Mexico. The unique blend creates a medium bodied cigar with notes of subtle spice and caramel. Smokers will also enjoy the long and smooth finish.

So, we at El Cigar Shop hope that this Cinco de Mayo you will celebrate with one or more of our premium cigar suggestions and, of course, some libations that suit your fancy. With that in mind, we leave you with this...

The Last Word

Tin-can Margaritas

In a blender place one can of frozen limeade, one can premium Tequila, ½ can Triple Sec or Gran Marnier. Fill with ice. Cover and blend for 20 seconds. Rim Margarita glasses with lime and salt and serve. ¡Salud!

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